Why Great Leaders Communicate Differently: The Real Science of Influence | with Alan Sherwood

Most leaders think they're communicating well. Their teams think otherwise. And that gap — invisible to the person at the top — is where trust erodes, performance suffers, and culture quietly breaks down. In this episode of In The Trenches, Hanif Ibrahim sits down with Alan Sherwood for a sharp, evidence-informed conversation about why communication is the most underestimated skill in leadership — and what separates the leaders who genuinely connect and influence from those who simply talk. Alan brings both the science and the street-level reality of what happens when leaders fail to communicate with intentionality — and what changes when they finally do. What this episode covers: - The most common communication failures leaders make — and why they're invisible from the top - Why most leaders conflate information-sharing with genuine communication - How to communicate in ways that actually shift thinking and drive action - The role of listening — real listening — in leadership effectiveness - How to tailor your communication style for different people and situations - The connection between communication clarity and team performance - What the research actually says about what makes a leader trustworthy and credible - Practical frameworks any leader can apply immediately If you lead people — at any level — this conversation will change how you show up in every interaction. This episode is supported by The Finance Agency — salary-paid finance brokers helping business owners build stronger, more effective organisations. financeagency.com.au #Leadership #BusinessCommunication #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessPodcast #InTheTrenches #TeamPerformance #Entrepreneurship #Influence #LeadershipSkills